Alexis Dimetry is a third-year PharmD candidate at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy.
For any student pharmacist looking to grow beyond the classroom and make an impact early in their career, the APhA Pain, Palliative Care, and Substance Use Disorder (PPSUD) Community is an incredible place to start.
I am honored to serve as the student liaison to the PPSUD Community. Our Community brings together student pharmacists, pharmacists, and other health care providers who care for patients with chronic/acute pain, those facing serious or life-limiting illnesses, and individuals living with SUDs. Together, we provide resources, collaboration, and education while also addressing challenges such as medication safety and misuse.
Building relationships
As someone deeply passionate about mental health advocacy, this Community holds a special place in my heart. Pain, palliative care, and SUD are not just physical conditions—they profoundly affect mental health as well. Many patients also experience depression, anxiety, or trauma, which makes our role as pharmacists even more critical. My career interests are focused on mental health pharmacy, and PPSUD has shown me how pharmacists can reduce stigma, improve access, and support patients holistically.
Being part of PPSUD has connected me with providers making a difference—whether through stigma-reducing training, updated treatment guidelines, or advancing best practices in patient care. Attending the 2025 APhA Institute on Substance Use Disorders earlier this year reinforced for me that patients don’t just need medications managed—they need providers who listen and validate their experiences.
For student pharmacists, a key benefit of PPSUD is building relationships with mentors and peers who share a passion for advancing patient care. I’ve gained valuable networking opportunities and insight into new practice areas, from innovative pain management approaches to strategies for reducing stigma—experiences that have shaped my growth as a student pharmacist and future mental health advocate.
Nancy Hooper, DPh, chair of the Community, shared a special message for student pharmacists:
“Joining the PPSUD Community is an incredible opportunity for student pharmacists to become part of the solution for patients, families, and communities impacted by pain management, palliative care, and SUDs. As someone in long-term recovery from SUD and currently receiving pain management care, I’ve experienced both exceptional care and care that revealed a gap in provider education. Often, it’s not about bad intentions. It’s about a lack of awareness or training. PPSUD offers a platform to close that gap through advocacy, education, and collaboration. By getting involved, students can help ensure that future pharmacists are equipped to provide compassionate, evidence-based care in these complex and critically important areas.”
Join us
At the end of the day, we are not treating numbers on a chart—we are caring for people. If you share this passion, join us! Whether you’re seeking mentorship, networking opportunities, or insights to advance your career, the APhA Communities provide the support and resources you need. Check out PPSUD and the 22 other Communities and join now at www.pharmacist.com/Membership/Communities.